An ill-conceived ad

This is the Hong Kong government’s latest anti-smoking ad:

After the man told his wife he’d quitted smoking, he was given a bagful of gold by the God of Fortune, shot by a punkish Cupid (which sent him flying in elation, Matrix-style), and presented two healthy (but disturbingly hyperactive) children by Santa. The video ended with him declaring, emotion-charged: “Money, love, family, health! How good it feels to win!”

Excuse me?

It’s basically saying: “Don’t take us seriously.”

This is just… wrong.

Instead of wasting money on childish things like this, why not put scary pictures of nicotine-infested lung on cigarette packages? That will make people think twice before lighting another one. Nothing deters like fear.